The Home And Happiness Botanical Handbook: Plant-Based Recipes for a Clean and Healthy Home

 

The Home And Happiness Botanical Handbook is a technique and recipe collection for plant based cleaning and health products by Pip Waller. Due out 12th Jan 2021 from Quarto on their Leaping Hare imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in paperback format.

There's (rightly) been a lot of focus on limiting consumption and exposure to harsh household chemicals. This book has a lot of good gentle advice and ideas. It's logically formatted and written in an accessible and understandable style. I was also glad to see useful recipes with zero pseudoscientific emphasis. The book is full of safe and natural suggestions for everyone, no matter what lifestyle they're in. (Not all of us are Martha Stewart, thank goodness). Some of the techniques are more involved and require acquiring/borrowing/bartering some more advanced equipment, but a lot of the tutorials will be achievable by anyone.

The recipes include ingredients which are relatively easy to source and should be easy to find in most places. Recipe ingredients are listed with both metric and American standard measures. The recipes are arranged thematically: household products, room sprays, potpourri, eco-laundry, garden & houseplant helpers, on the road, pet items, inks paints & dyes (spiffy oak gall ink recipe can be found here), and oddities.

The author has also included an herbal, a resource/bibliography list for further reading,and a cross referenced index. The book throughout, including the recipe sections is well illustrated with clear and attractive tutorial and recipe graphics which add a lot of nostalgic retro vibes.

All in all it's a good beginner to intermediate handbook for natural DIY products (including some wood stains which I haven't had the time to try out yet).

Five stars. I would highly recommend this one to SCAdians, re-enactors, calligraphers, maker's groups, library acquisition, homesteaders/smallholders, self-sufficiency fans, and the like.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Fearless Gardening: Be Bold, Break the Rules, and Grow What You Love

 

Fearless Gardening is a really useful and somewhat profound book on gardening philosophy and design by Loree Bohl. Due out 5th Jan 2021 from Workman Publishing on their Timber Press imprint, it's 256 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

All gardeners are familiar with the feelings of "but I can't (plant that there, grow that in this climate, plant those together, use this plant in this soil, etc)". The author presents a number of expository essays arranged thematically that, more or less, "yes you can and yes you should" (and here's how to do it). The technical/theory parts of the book are interwoven with profiles of unconventional gardeners gardening to the beats of their own drummers. The stories are inspiring and filled me with a desire to get into my garden and start digging (not really an option in late December). 

There are a number of useful appendices included: plant lists, resources for further reading, gardens to visit (with private gardens delineated with a "P"), suppliers lists (aimed at North American readers), and a cross-referenced index.

The photography throughout is superlative - clear and easy to understand. This is an inspiring book with humor, wit, style, and useful relevant technical expertise. It would make a superlative gift, library acquisition, or for a garden club or school library.

Five stars. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Healthy Keto Air Fryer Cookbook: 100 Delicious Low-Carb and Fat-Burning Recipes

 

Healthy Keto Air Fryer Cookbook is a new tutorial and recipe collection for  keto cooks by Aaron Day. Due out 8th Dec 2020 from Penguin Random House on their DK Alpha imprint, it's 160 pages (print version) and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The introduction covers the basics of cooking with the air-fryer and essential accessories as well as an intro to the keto lifestyle/diet, including a basic primer on ketosis, macronutrients, tips, ingredients, tools, supplies, how-to. The following chapters include the recipes arranged roughly by category: breakfast, mains, sides, snacks, and desserts.

Ingredient measurements are supplied in American standard measurements with metric equivalents in parentheses (yay!).  The nutritional information:  fat, carbs, protein, fiber content, etc are listed for the recipes as well as serving sizes.  Extra tips or recipe alternatives are listed in the recipes. The recipes themselves are fairly straightforward and are made for the most part with easily sourced ingredients (not all though, sweeteners for example, will likely need to be sourced from specialists). The sweeteners used often include erythritol, so people who have IBS or other inflammatory issues might need to proceed with caution.

The photography is not abundant; about 2/3rds of the recipes are not illustrated, but the photographs which are included are clear and well done.  I wish there had been more photographs and serving suggestions, but I do understand that extra photography increases the price of book projects very quickly and I didn't find the lack crippling.

This is a large collection of recipes and even allowing for the fact that some of them are very similar to others in the same category, this will keep keto-cooks going for ages. Many of these can also easily be adapted to non-keto cooking. 

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners

 

The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners is a tutorial and recipe guide with recipes developed by Elena Paravantes. Due out 29th Dec 2020 from Penguin Random House on their DK imprint, it's 192 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The Mediterranean diet has gotten a lot of attention because of its association with a wide variety of health benefits including a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and early death. This book provides a good introduction to the diet and lifestyle for beginners wanting to make changes to their eating habits for health benefits and a healthier lifestyle. 

The layout is logical and easy to follow. The introduction covers the basics of the Mediterranean Diet, tools, supplies, and the how-to and why of choosing ingredients (the subchapter tutorial on choosing and storing olive oil is one of the best I've ever seen). The following chapters include the recipes arranged roughly by category: breakfast, vegetables & beans, pasta rice & savory pies, seafood meat & poultry, salads, snacks & appetizers, and desserts.

Ingredient measurements are supplied in American standard measurements with metric in parentheses.  The nutritional information:  calories, fat, carbs, and protein content are listed for the recipes as well as serving sizes.  Extra tips or recipe alternatives are listed in sidebars. The recipes themselves are fairly straightforward and are made with easily sourced ingredients. Many are very simple, none of them are overly complex.

The photography is not abundant; roughly 25% of the recipes are illustrated, but the photographs which are included are clear and well done.  I wish there had been more photographs and serving suggestions, but I do understand that extra photography increases the price of book projects very quickly.

This is a nice collection of recipes and even allowing for the fact that some of them are very similar to others in the same category, this will keep cooks going for ages. Many of these can also easily be adapted to other styles of cooking and meal planning. 

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The DIRTY, LAZY, KETO No Time to Cook Cookbook: 100 Easy Recipes Ready in under 30 Minutes

 

The DIRTY, LAZY, KETO No Time to Cook Cookbook is is a new tutorial and recipe collection for  keto cooks in a hurry. Due out 5th Jan 2021 from Simon & Schuster on their Adams Media imprint, it's 224 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. The authors have several other "Dirty Lazy Keto" cookbooks in the same series and with similar formats. This one has an emphasis on quick preparation and simple presentation.

The introduction covers the basics of the keto lifestyle/diet, including a basic primer on ketosis, macronutrients, tips, ingredients, tools, supplies, how-to, pantry lists and shopping tips, along with an inspiring author background bio. She emphasizes that it's not necessary to spend a ton of money and track every mouthful to be successful at weight loss and maintenance. I found her encouraging and you-can-do-it style of writing engaging and fun. There's also a short, concise subchapter on food handling and safety, which was welcome.

The following chapters include the recipes arranged roughly by category: breakfast, soups & salads, snacks, pizza, side dishes, main dishes, and desserts & drinks. The table of contents lists each recipe along with symbols giving a visual guide to different real-life situations (recipes for "hangry" moments, for picky eaters, lacto-ovo vegetarian-ish dishes, superstar keto dishes etc - quite humorous but also *true*).

Ingredient measurements are supplied in American standard measurements only.  There's a conversion chart for metric measures in the appendices. The prep times, net carbs, servings, and tips and options are listed in well laid out sidebars. The ingredients are listed in a bullet list followed by step by step directions. The author does recommend real-world timesavers like using premade taco powder (the recipes rely heavily on premade (often precooked) ingredients - this is *not* slow cooking from scratch). Allied recipes (included) are referenced in the recipes to save time by using leftovers from one recipe in another recipe. The recipes are drawn from a surprisingly broad number of world cuisines - Asian, southwestern, Tex-Mex, Cajun, European, etc.

Inspiring real life quotes and thoughts are highlighted in yellow in the text, giving readers an extra little boost. Some readers might find the cheerleading over the top, but I found the author's voice very encouraging and friendly. I found myself thinking "wow, she really gets it".

This really felt like a keto-friendly cookbook for me: short on time/money, impatient with impossible-to-source "weird" ingredients, and cooking for myself and a family of non-keto eaters. I found it impressive and pretty easy to follow. A small real-life occurrence - my endocrinologist said at my last visit I was his ONLY patient who had actually gone DOWN in weight since lockdown. That made me feel good.

Five stars. I really like (and use) this entire series of cookbooks. One codicil, there are very few pictures included in the book. The dishes and serving suggestions which are included are attractive and appropriate, however.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes 

Clean Mama's Guide to a Peaceful Home: Effortless Systems and Joyful Rituals for a Calm, Cozy Home

 

Clean Mama's Guide to a Peaceful Home is a meticulously organized specific guide to creating an oasis (in this insanely upside-down world) and getting control of the everyday tasks which always seem to spiral out of control too easily (at least in my experience). Due out 29th Dec 2020 from Harper Collins on their HarperOne imprint, it's 240 pages (print version) and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

I've always struggled to stay organized at home. I don't seem to have the same challenges at work, but for my home life, making lists and staying on time and on task has been really challenging for most of my adult life. My pattern has been that I wind up letting some things slide, they snowball, and then the tasks seem daunting to get "caught up" and wind up taking even MORE time than if I'd stayed on top of them all along.

This book is a practical instruction manual for getting a handle on those tasks: figuring out what they are, figuring out how to perform them, breaking them down into manageable individual smaller tasks, doing them, and staying on top of them in future. 

The book has a very logical and accessible layout. The introduction provides a capsule survey of why getting organized leads to less stress overall and other benefits and leads into sections: finding time and creating routines, and implementing these lists and routings in specific areas of the home. 

This book is absolutely *full* of workbook samples for filling out (I recommend either printing them out from the electronic copy, or copying the standard forms from the print copy - I confess that I'm not sure how the audio format will coordinate). There are schedules and checklists for every room in the house; for meal planning, bathroom, office +paperwork, the dreaded garage/storage, vehicles, cleaning routines and tips, and a lot lot more.

The appendices contain a lot of useful recipes for cleaning products for different surfaces and a cross-referenced index. There are so many good immediately usable tips in this book that even people (like me) who need to take baby steps can find things to utilize immediately. 

Five stars - maybe a little intimidating, but really solid organizational tips and routines.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Instant Loss on a Budget: Super-Affordable Recipes for the Health-Conscious Cook

 

Instant Loss on a Budget is a diet plan, information guide, and cookbook with recipes developed by Brittany Williams. Due out 29th Dec 2020 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, it's 352 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The recipes are grouped roughly thematically: baked goods, breakfasts, party appetizers, soups, salads, sides, pasta, restaurant favorites, meatless, land & sea, drinks, desserts, and basics (sauces, seasonings, ingredient recipes). Each of the recipes includes an introductory description, ingredients listed in a bullet point sidebar (US measurements only), step by step instructions, as well as footers with tips and alternative suggestions and some tips on presentation. Nutritional info oddly not included (in a diet book?). Special tools and ingredients are also listed, along with yields and cooking directions. The ingredients are mostly easily sourced at any moderately well stocked grocery store. 

The recipes are varied, delicious, and attractive. The author makes some very salient points about the types of food (especially proteins) we choose and how that has follow on effects for weight loss and food budget. She's included some meal plans as well as clear and useful charts for cooking times for pressure cooking vegetables, grains, legumes, etc. Each of them has an estimated prep cost in a header graphic over the recipe.

The photography is not abundant; maybe 10% of the recipes are pictured, at a rough estimate. The recipes which are included are clear and easy to follow and the serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate. There are a lot of things to like about this collection - the writing is upbeat and no-nonsense. The author has a very supportive and encouraging style. The lack of photos detracts somewhat as does the lack of nutritional info, but overall this is a very good collection of healthy recipes.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Whole Smiths Real Food Every Day

 

The Whole Smiths Real Food Every Day is a cooking and style guide with recipes developed by Michelle Smith. Due out 29th Dec 2020 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, it's 272 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is an upbeat well written cookbook with a family vibe full of attractive healthy well prepared recipes. The introduction includes a whole-food philosophy which makes a lot of sense. The author makes a good case for eating fewer processed meals for health and well being (sort of paleo, but not fanatically so). 

The book's introduction contains a list of tips and tricks which are really useful covering a range of tasks like pitting cherries, shredding chicken, getting more mileage out of pickle brine after the pickles are gone, and a host of other small tasks. The recipes themselves are arranged a bit whimsically (there's an index, so it's not really a problem): ingredients and make-ahead staples, meal prep recipes, sheet pan recipes, five ingredients or fewer, one dish, 30 minutes or less, instant, leftovers, weekend recipes.

They have their ingredients listed bullet style in the sidebar. Measurements are given in US standard only. There is no nutritional info provided. Special tools and ingredients are also listed, along with yields and step by step cooking directions. Special features such as gluten-free, grain-free, and nut-free are noted in the header.

The ingredients are mostly easily sourced at any moderately well stocked grocery store; not all though (coconut aminos and collagen peptides for example - but as the author notes, those items can be sourced online). Roughly half the recipes are pictured (by my rough estimate). The photographs which are included are clear and appealing and serving suggestions are appropriate. Many of the photos are of the author and her beautiful (and healthy) family, which adds a personal touch.

There's also a useful recipe list with a chart showing dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, paleo, vegan, and vegetarian status for every recipe in the collection individually. There's a useful cross-referenced index which is useful since the recipes are not arranged by category.

This book would make a great gift/housewarming for someone cooking for themselves or family members with special dietary needs,  with appealing recipes, and fans of food-prep planning / batch cooking. These are healthy and appealing recipes.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked #1)

 

Kingdom of the Wicked is the first book in a new series by Kerri Maniscalco. Released 27th Oct by Hatchette, it's 448 pages (print version) and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a beautifully written brooding NA fantasy novel set in 19th century Sicily. The plot elements may be standard tropes (young witches living hidden among humans, handsome and misunderstood bad boy (ok, demon) romantic interest) but the writing lifts the whole above the average.  The author has a gift with descriptive prose and the narrative is compelling and richly rendered. The world building is very skillfully interwoven with real life historical details which add a layer of realism to the fantasy. There are some inconsistencies (

There is a significant amount of romantic tension and "bodice ripper" level descriptions (nothing too explicit, but definitely racy). The denouement was as expected and sets up the (nearly certain) second book in the series.  

I would recommend this one unhesitatingly to fans of NA paranormal romance. Atmospheric and brooding with handsome demon lad. Three and a half stars rounded up for the quality of the writing.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Someone to Watch Over Me (Spenser #48)

 

Someone to Watch Over Me is the 48th (!!) Spenser novel, and the 9th (by my count) written by Ace Atkins after Mr. Parker's death. Due out 12th Jan 2021 from Penguin Random House on their G.P. Putnam's Sons imprint, it's 400 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

I've been in love with this series since book 1 (The Godwulf Manuscript) and I was really sad when the author passed, thinking that I would have to confine myself to re-reads to get my Spenser/Hawk fix. I was nervous about someone else taking over the writing, but have been really impressed and happy with the newest books in the series.

Other reviewers (and the book's blurb) have set up the plot quite well. I'll just add that all of the elements which made us fall in love with Spenser & co. from the start are here also. The characters (trigger warning, exploitation of minors, and sexual exploitation are themes) are ripped from recent news headlines (including a "fantasy island" which hearkens to the relatively recently departed unlamented Jeffry Epstein and his henchpeople). Because the theme is so triggering and horrific, I will say there's no direct graphic sexual content, but there are descriptions of abuse (not graphic) during interviews with victims which were somewhat difficult for me to read. I mostly skimmed over those. They certainly weren't used egregiously, they were integral to the plot, but they were rather difficult to see.

It's a solidly written PI murder mystery with an indelible American flavor. Boston's local atmosphere and settings are a vital part of the book. I love Spenser's relationship with Susan (smart, funny, capable, and real) and the interplay between Spenser and his compatriots. I loved the sarcastic wit and real humor and repartee in the dialogue. I'm obviously a solid fan of this series, and my opinion wasn't dented one tiny bit by this latest adventure. Ace Atkins isn't Robert B. Parker, but he's pretty darned close. 

Five stars for fans of the series. Probably four to five for new readers who enjoy gritty American PI adventures.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Veggie from the Start: Easy Vegan and Vegetarian Foods for Babies and Up—Perfect for Baby-Led Weaning Families

 

Veggie from the Start is a tutorial and information guide to nutrition and plant based food for babies and families. Due out 5th Jan 2021 from from Workman Publishing on The Experiment imprint is 192 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is an accessible and well written guide aimed especially at families with babies who are / or will be weaning - to get them over the transition and started on first foods which are plant based and vegetarian friendly as well as nutritionally sound and appetizing. The book has a logical layout with appealing graphics and a lot of good information. It's also full of -extremely- cute babies with "awwwwww" inspiring levels of cuteness.

The introductory chapters contain a lot of usable info about vegetarian choices, nutritional background, how-to's, and techniques for getting started on the transition from nursing to solid foods. The following chapters contain the recipes arranged thematically: breakfast & brunch, snacks & mini meals, dips & staple sauces, baby Buddha bowls, dinner time & family meals, sweet stuff, and adapting recipes (lots of great info in this section). The recipes have specific serving sizes (1 adult + 1 baby, or 4 baby sized servings, for example). Nutritional info is not included. Recipe ingredients (most are easily sourced at a well stocked grocery store) are listed bullet style in a sidebar. Recipe measurements are in American standard measures with some (not all) metric measures in parentheses, followed by step by step cooking/assembly instructions.  Many of the recipes include optional twists or add-on flavors and options. 

The authors have also included a number of useful appendices at the end of the book: a table of allergens and info about food sensitivity, resources and links, a cross-referenced index, and a short bio. The photography is clear and appealing and added a great deal to the book. Most of the recipes are accompanied by one or more photos.  Serving suggestions are appealing and appropriate. 

Five stars. One of the better baby-led weaning books I've seen which gives more in-depth info about *what* exactly to offer during the weaning process.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Starfighter Chronicles

 

The Starfighter Chronicles is a compilation and re-release of the first 3 books in the Inspector of the Cross series by John B. Rosenman. Released 8th Oct by Crossroads Press, it's 787 pages and available in ebook format. This reformatted edition includes an interactive table of contents and links. I'm very enamored of ebooks with interactive formats - they make everything easier to access.

This is grand old fashioned space opera. There's not a whole lot else to say. The main protagonist is a hero of the old school - rugged, brave, and sometimes foolhardy. He's thousands of years old (most of that time having been spent in cryo-storage in deep space on a quest to find weaponry to fight the enemy bent on the wilful destruction of humankind). The bad guys are bad guys and the good guys are good guys. 

One of the most appealing facets of these books for me is the fact that they're so comfortable...with a few plot/setting changes, they would be at home as westerns or gritty noir PI novels (on the mean streets of NYC). They're perennial, they're engaging, and they're familiar. There's nothing morally bankrupt or emotionally ambiguous here. I read this three novel compilation during the pandemic lockdown and it was a bright spot in my day, looking forward to pure escapist fantasy. 

The hero is a man of color, which was refreshing. The writing and plotting are well engineered and fast (but not too fast) paced. Having emphasized how traditional the writing and plotting are, I will say that true to form, there's not a lot here to challenge the boys' club feel of a lot of golden and silver-age science fiction. It's not John Norman (Gor novels) by a long shot, but neither is it Octavia Butler. 

Overall: Engaging, well written, occasionally stilted dialogue, high space opera. I recommend it for readers looking for alternatives to early Heinlein, Frank Herbert, Larry Niven, and the other boys in the band. Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

Vegan Intermittent Fasting: Lose Weight, Reduce Inflammation, and Live Longer—The 16:8 Way—With over 100 Plant-Powered Recipes to Keep You Fuller Longer

 

Vegan Intermittent Fasting is an interesting and accessible guide to 16:8 fasting with a plant based diet written and presented by Dr. Petra Bracht and Mira Flatt.  Originally released in 2018 in German, this English translation from Workman Publishing on The Experiment imprint is 288 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. 

Most everyone understands (often from personal experience) that our bodies have different nutritional needs at different stages of our lives and that our metabolisms function differently at different times of day. I would say the majority of readers have experienced the sluggishness that comes after a very late night (possibly with the additional intake of alcohol) when a 4am trip to Taco Bell seems like a great idea. This book explains how our bodies need different fuel at different times of day, and more importantly how to use those metabolic differences to feel better, reduce inflammation, and lose weight. 

The author has an accessible and easy to understand style of writing. There is a lot of common sense knowledge  borne of long experience with nutritional medicine contained here. That the author is enthusiastic and knowledgeable is clear. As a scientist, I was admittedly uncomfortable occasionally with the enthusiastic disparagement of the scientific community as a whole (yes, we're hidebound and take ages to test and retest before changing our opinions, but that comes from a place of caution and safety). With that being said, the general consensus *does* seem to be shifting with every piece of corroborative evidence that avoiding eating when we "should" be sleeping does support metabolic health and wellness. 

The book has a logical layout with an easy-to-read format. The book is split into parts: an expository section on intermittent fasting (at night in a 16:8 pattern), why it makes sense, what benefits can be gained, and what the metabolic reasoning is. 

The second section includes a quick start program with 14 days of exercises (which even I could manage - and I'm not very physically fit), meal structures, meal plans, and shopping lists. The food is (obviously) vegan friendly. Ingredients will be readily available from most moderately well stocked grocery stores. The recipes are varied and appealing with a distinct variety of textures and colors (it's not just all green smoothies). One practical drawback of this section was that the quick-start recipes for the two week plan do NOT have direct links from the table list to the recipes themselves. I found myself flipping back and forth constantly. (Note: I received an early e-galley for review, this may well have been corrected in the final release copy). 

The third section contains vegan recipes for maintenance arranged by meal: breakfasts, lunches, dinners, dessert. Recipes contain a brief description, nutritional info (calories, protein, fat, carbs), servings, and prep time. Recipe ingredients are listed bullet style in a sidebar list with American standard and metric measurements included (yay!). The step by step cooking directions are numbered sequentially and are clear and easy to follow. 

The photography throughout the book is very high quality and serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate. The photography was one of the highlights of the book for me. By my rough estimate all (or nearly all) of the recipes are accompanied by clear photos. Exercise tutorials are also well photographed and easy to follow. 

The notes and resources for further reading will provide hours of more in-depth background. The authors have also included a cross referenced index, recipe index, and short bio. 

This would make a good selection for library acquisition, vegan eating enthusiasts, people looking for supportive and sensible weight loss ideas, or for the home library. The proselytizing is a bit distracting, but not a deal-breaker. In fact the author is most likely correct in her assertions. 

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Nutritionist's Kitchen: Transform Your Diet and Discover the Healing Power of Whole Foods

The Nutritionist's Kitchen is a well written, accessible, science based guide to whole food nutrition with the aim of maintaining health through food choices, written and presented by Carly Knowles. Released 15th Dec 2020 by Roost Books, it's 272 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. 

What we eat and the food to which we have access has a profound effect on our health and lifespan. This book provides a great deal of information on the subject in a way that most readers will be able to understand. The introduction covers the basics of whole food unprocessed ingredients and cooking and essential accessories as well as an intro to sensible food choices, tips, tools, supplies, and how-to. There is an emphasis on choosing seasonal local foods and unprocessed unmodified ingredients. The author has also a good layman accessible survey discussion of the elements of nutrition: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, macro- and micro-nutrients and more. It's not necessary to memorize every aspect of these nutrients and how they fit together to supply complete nutrition, but it does give a really good overview. I found myself using the first part of the book more as a reference and going back to it again and again. 

The second section includes the recipes, arranged by season. Ingredient measurements are supplied in American standard measurements only.  The nutritional information is not included.   Each recipe has a header with special labels such as nut-free, gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, etc along with a short description of the recipe and approximate prep-times. Extra tips or recipe alternatives are listed in text boxes in the recipes. The recipes themselves are fairly straightforward and are made for the most part with easily sourced (seasonal) ingredients. Many are very simple, none of them are overly complex.

The photography is gorgeous and abundant. In fact the photography was one of the highlights for me. This is such an information dense volume that without the bright and vivid photos it would be less inviting and inspirational. This not a vegetarian or otherwise plant based collection though it does have many vegan/vegetarian friendly recipes (and many more which can easily be adapted to plant based ingredients).

The book includes a remarkably comprehensive bibliography and resource links for further reading. There are a number of useful appendices including meal prep/planning sample menus - seasonal produce tables, daily nutrient intakes listed by nutrient, lists of specific nutrients and their sources, as well as a cross referenced index (not included in the advanced reader galleys provided for review).

Five stars. This is a solid book of nutrition and recipes which will be used. It would make a superlative housewarming gift to a friend or family member or friend trying to eat more health consciously with better quality ingredients. It would also make a good supplemental text in an educational setting (nutrition, physiology, etc) or for library acquisition.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Intermittent Fasting Diet Guide and Cookbook

 

Intermittent Fasting Diet Guide and Cookbook is a simplified method for weight loss and management by Dr. Becky Gillaspy (recipes developed by Lovoni Walker). Due out 22nd Dec 2020 from Penguin Random House on their DK imprint, it's 224 pages (print version) and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The premise (eating for weight loss by fasting intermittently or utilizing strategies for controlling food intake) sounds very new-age and scientifically dodgy, but the author has exhaustively "shown her work" by citing real and pertinent scientific peer-reviewed research to back up her claims. As we learn more about the incredibly complex endocrine (hormone) effects on physiology and metabolism, we start to understand how to utilize our body's natural capacity for healing and function. 

Although based on scientific research, the author explains the concepts in accessible language. New words are defined in context and in ways that are easy to understand. The research behind the concepts are cited - the chapter notes and bibliography are extensive - for readers who wish to understand more of the background, but it's not necessary to have a doctorate in biochemistry to understand what Dr. Gillaspy is trying to say.

The first part of the book covers the concept of the diet and of intermittent eating/fasting periods. There are different methods and she does a good job of describing them and their uses. The second part of the book includes the meal plans and recipes. The meal plans are adjusted for the reader's needs based on whichever plan they're following: 12:12, 16:8, 20:4, one meal a day, alternate day fasting, and modified ADF. The recipes and meal plans are generally low-carb, but there are extensive instructions included for modifying the recipes to allow for different macronutrients, fat content, or further reducing carbs. For readers who prefer not to have to get into the nuts-and-bolts of adjusting and customizing, the recipes can easily be used as provided. 

The author has included pantry lists with lots of good food suggestions, as well as weekly meal plans. Individual recipes are listed with special labels such as gluten free, dairy free, egg free, and vegetarian noted. The recipes for each of the meal plans are provided in the cookbook. 

Each recipe has an introduction along with special labels, serving sizes, prep and cook times. Recipe ingredients are listed bullet style in a sidebar. Ingredient measurements are provided in American standard with metric in parentheses (yay!). Ingredients are "normal" and will be readily available at an average well stocked grocery store. Some items might require a health food or specialist market (sweeteners like stevia or granulated monkfruit sweetener for example). Basic nutritional information is included for each recipe.

The photography is not abundant. The photos which are included are attractively styled, and appetizing; serving suggestions are appropriate.

This feels like a well grounded and sensible plan for readers who are struggling with healthy eating and weight loss as well as making good and logical food choices. Meticulously annotated and accessible. Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden

 

Plant Partners is a new science based companion planting guide by horticulturist Jessica Walliser. Due out 22nd Dec 2020 from Storey, it's 224 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

Plants have developed survival mechanisms over millions of years. Some have physical protections (thorns, stings, caustic sap), are bitter or hot (peppers, etc), exude growth inhibiting chemicals (allelopathy), and a myriad of other techniques. By learning about these natural defense mechanisms, we can plan our gardening efforts to maximize the benefits to increase yields, control weeds, attract beneficial fauna/insects and more. 

I remember my grandmother telling me that "bad bugs are just food for good bugs" and by allowing the natural balance to exert itself instead of fighting an uphill (unwinnable) battle by increasing dependence on pesticides and fertilizers, we increase the health of our soil and the nutritional value of the foods we eat.

This book provides a much more in-depth and tidy look at what gardeners can do to to stack the deck in their favor.The book has a logical and easy to follow layout; concepts are grouped together thematically by chapter: companion planting, cover crops, living mulches and alleopathy to combat weeds, trap/lure crops to minimize damage to desired crops, interplanting for health and vigor, attracting beneficial insects, interplanting tall crops for support/trellising, and attracting pollinators. 

The author does a good job introducing general concepts in each chapter followed by more specific techniques and information. The chapters contain concrete specific utilizable techniques with specific plants for particular purposes. There is a great deal of good information. This would make a superlative selection for note taking and planning in the winter season when gardens are sleeping and gardeners are surrounding themselves with masses of catalogues and dreaming about springtime. 

The book also includes some useful appendices: resources and links for further reading, a glossary, bibliography, and an index. It's well but not lavishly illustrated. Included photos are clear and attractive. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Growing Under Cover: Protect Your Vegetable Garden against Unpredictable Weather, Deter Pests, Boost Your Yield, and Extend Your Harvest

 

Growing Under Cover is a fact filled really useful treatise for extending and protecting garden harvests by Niki Jabbour. Due out 22nd Dec 2020 from Storey, it's 216 pages (print version) and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

I've reviewed several other books by this author and have found that they've become staples of my gardening library. This one promises the same. As a gardener in a northern climate, if I ever want peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, or other such garden goodies (and I do, always) I have to extend my growing season and stack the deck a bit in my favor. Ditto with late-season hailstorms. This book is absolutely full of good usable advice and techniques for extending the season, protecting the garden from predation by insects/animals and environmental factors. 

I liked the layout here, chapters are arranged thematically around two ideas: Semi-permanent structures and coverings with a really good sub-chapter on hoop tunnels and cold frames, and an herbarium with specific plants and varieties which do well under cover.  The book is well photographed throughout. The photos are clear and understandable and (for tutorial photos) logically sequenced and followable.

The selection of plant profiles is comprehensive and includes lots of intriguing possibilities beyond the standard fare (eggplant, peppers, tomatoes). I confess I'd never really considered growing artichokes under cover before, and I will definitely find some space to increase our yields - they're monstrously expensive locally, and my family loves them in dips, salads, and everything in between. I'm also contemplating fennel (which we normally grow outdoors in limited quantity) as well as squash and watermelon (they just take up so much *space*).

This is a nice volume full of usable gardening advice, and a good addition to the author's oeuvre. It would be a nice selection for the allotment library, gardener's home library, public / school library, or gift for a gardening friend.

Four and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Night Call

 

Night Call is the first in an SF-noir alternate 1930s timeline PI murder mystery series by Brenden Carlson. Released 10th Nov 2020 by Dundurn, it's 336 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is an engaging book in a much beloved subgenre. I love the noir vibe. I love the androids and their often fraught interactions with humans. I really enjoyed the darkness (often literal) and desperation of the Lower City of NY.  There's a lot of Philip K. Dick and Asimov nuance floating around in the narrative and I really did enjoy reading it. With that being said, the book is not entirely unproblematic. There are several aspects I found myself struggling with. There is -so- much gratuitous violence. The main (human) protagonist Elias Roche murders witnesses, thugs, pretty much everyone, willy nilly. He's a very dangerous guy. I get that it's part of the gritty noir vibe, but in my opinion the author does a superlative job of calling up the mean streets of New York without the superfluous body count. There are very few females mentioned in the entire book (the female director of the FBI makes an appearance), there are some mentions of prostitutes, and various secretaries. Again, the author is adept enough that the omission is certainly intentional to better call up the 1930s noir vibe, but it seemed unnecessary in context. 

Other reviewers have done a good job of providing a precis of the plot, so I'll avoid going into details except to say that the denouement was a bit of a letdown given the otherwise generally good buildup. The language is rough overall (and somewhat anachronistic - I'm pretty sure 1930's cops didn't drop the "f" word nearly as often as occurs in this volume). 

I enjoyed the characterizations (especially Roche's android partner, Allen). I really really enjoyed the vibe (pitch perfect!). It's not flawless, but it certainly was well written and diverting. 

Four stars. I would recommend it unhesitatingly to fans of unredacted Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and James M. Cain. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

Keto Diet Hacks 200 Shortcuts to Make the Keto Diet Fit Your Lifestyle

 

Keto Diet Hacks is a tutorial and tips guide for adjusting the ketogenic diet to readers' lifestyle rather than compromising lifestyle to become keto compliant. Released 15th Dec 2020 by Simon & Schuster on their Adams Media imprint, it's 224 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.

This is a bare bones, information dense, accessible, and *useful* book of tips and tricks to make the keto lifestyle more relevant for most of us who struggle to maintain ketosis in our daily lives. The table of contents is specific, easy to understand and descriptive enough to make information easy to find (there's also a comprehensive index). The first chapter covers meal planning and prep, including shopping and pantry lists, tips for writing a weekly planning calendar, meal prep and shopping on the same day, and lots more. The second chapter includes a number of good tips/hacks to make shopping easier, more effective, and budget friendly. The third chapter was particularly good for me and included a lot of hints to make dining out less catastrophic (ALWAYS my downfall - always). Chapter four covers socializing and drinking situations. The following chapters provide readers with good solid tips on everything from dealing with hunger, maximizing macro-nutrients, curbing carb cravings (another huge problem for me), keto weight loss and management, lifestyle tips, and troubleshooting. 

The included tips and information are formatted in one to two page short entries and are written in very easy to understand language. They are numbered sequentially (1-200), and I couldn't personally think of a question or problem I've had with my own keto journey which wasn't touched on in these 200 tips. 

There is no photography included, but I didn't find it problematic. There are also no recipes included - that's not within the scope of the book.

This would make a good gift for a keto adherent friend, for library acquisitions, or for oneself. Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

Without a Brew (Sloan Krause #4)

 

Without a Brew is the fourth Sloan Krause cozy mystery by Ellie Alexander. Released 10th Nov 2020 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 304 pages and available in hardcover, mass market paperback, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a small town cozy series which has really found its stride and is always fun to revisit. Microbrewer (and amateur sleuth) Sloan is intelligent, well grounded, vulnerable, and compassionate. She's an easy protagonist to like. 

This whole series has been a fun and diverting read. There is a lot of beer and brewing information woven into the narrative and the ensemble cast of returning characters are mostly appealingly quirky and fun (except for April, her I want to smack). The small town politics and interactions provide a lot of color and atmosphere.

The multi-story plot arc concerning Sloan's biological parents and her background in the foster care system has a different, more serious vibe and does't mesh as well with the story for me. The multi-book plot arc took a sharp turn into unbelievability and I found myself drawn out of the story at several places. I'm not going to give up on the series, it really is well written and engaging.

The language is clean, the murder is off-scene, there's no sexual content, and this is a mostly light cozy in a consistently strong cozy series. There is enough back story interwoven into this one, that it does work well enough as a standalone. I have enjoyed the rest of the series, so it is probably worth picking up the earlier books.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Jew(ish): A primer, A memoir, A manual, A plea

 

Jew(ish) is a collection of essays, ruminations, and reflections on Jewish identity in the 21st century. Released 1st Dec 2020 by Amazon UK on their Little A imprint, it's 200 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

I have read a lot of ethnography and ethnohistory this year and this was a good choice to wrap up the year. It is by turns wistful, humorous, subtly chiding, and very human. I found myself disagreeing with some of what the author says, of course. He refers to himself as a lapsed Jew. I would rebut that "lapsed" is not at all the same thing as "non-religious" or "agnostic". I grew up in a family dynamic very similar to the one into which he brought his son. I too, am a product of Irish (not Welsh) Catholics on my mother's side, and Jewish family absolutely devastated by the Holocaust on my father's side. 

Anyhow, aside from pedantry, much of the content of this book resonated with me deeply. I found kinship in his protective sarcastic humour and deflection. I remember the same sense of dissonance when I visited friends' houses as a child. There's quite a lot to like (and ruminate on) in this book and each of the entries is a short and compact read. The entries are arranged thematically: God, family, comedy, security, Israel, race, and the internet. 

Some of the book is undeniably difficult to read (how could it possibly not be difficult?). There are descriptions which have made an indelible mark and will be difficult to eradicate. I think it's a worthwhile book, especially in light of the awful upswing in racist and anti-Semitic attacks both actual and virtual in the USA and worldwide. 

Four stars. This would make a good gift to readers of history, ethnography, and allied subjects, as well as lovers of biography and memoirs.

 Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

 

Sewing Face Masks, Scrub Caps, Arm Slings, and More

 

 Sewing Face Masks, Scrub Caps, Arm Slings, and More is a practical and accessible tutorial guide for (mostly) healthcare related fabric projects by Angie Herbertson. Released 27th Nov 2020 from Fox Chapel on their Landauer imprint, it's 120 pages and available in paperback format. 

The tutorials and techniques are suited to beginning sewists. There are step by step tutorials for 14 projects including scrub hats, fitget mats (for autistic and dementia patients), slings, wheelchair organizer caddies, and more. The projects themselves are attractive and useful. They're all beginner accessible. This would make a superlative selection for volunteer and charity sewing. 

The table of contents includes a short thumbnail pictorial gallery of the included projects. The thumbnails aren't overly large or detailed but they give a clear look at each project along with page numbers and a color coded tab at the bottom of each picture showing the main use: the elderly, healthcare workers, children, or everone. The short introduction gives a capsule survey of the tools and materials with a non-model-specific sewing guide. All of these projects can be made on a very basic straight stitch machine, so there are no fancy bells and whistles needed. 

The tutorials include a short description, color photo of the finished project, tools and materials listed in bullet point lists in a sidebar, and step by step directions with tutorial drawings. Materials lists are provided with both American standard and metric measures (yay!). The instructions are well written and I found no glaring errors with a fairly careful read-through. 

All pattern templates are included in the back of the book (along with handy calibration squares to check the scale accuracy when printed out). The book also includes a short index, and small author bio. This is a very useful, timely, and well done book. It's *not* only for sewing masks, there's a wide selection of other health-aid items from which to choose. 

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Home Office Solutions: How to Set Up an Efficient Workspace Anywhere in Your House

 

Home Office Solutions is a tutorial and style guide to "finding" and best utilizing space to makeover for work tasks. Released 3rd Nov 2020 by Fox Chapel on their Creative Homeowner imprint, it's 128 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

The pandemic and world economic situation have forced people to redefine the way we work. For many of us, that includes some form of working from home. The necessity of finding/creating a home based work space has never been more necessary or desirable. This book offers logical and usable ideas for carving out and creating a space for work at home based on the individual reader's needs.

The book has a logical and accessible layout. The introduction includes a discussion of the benefits of good planning, and how to achieve a productive, efficient, and ergonomic work space. There are numerous attractive photos in the inspiration gallery as well as scattered throughout the book. 

The first section covers the basics: finding a space to use, options and considerations before starting and some general background. The second chapter includes good ideas for floor plans, desk layouts, technology checklist as well as furniture needs, color/design, and some ways to make the space your own. The last (shorter) section of the book includes some tips for more efficient ways to work from home, meetings, interruptions (kids), a very short general discussion of potential tax advantages to explore, security, and programs. 

The book also includes an abbreviated resource/links list and an index. 

Five stars. Well written and useful. There's a lot of inspiration contained here. Numerous clear, attractive photos throughout. This would make a timely addition to the home library, public library, or resource groups.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Murder, Sometimes

 

Murder, Sometimes is the first book in the Jason Callahan paranormal cozy series by Patricia Lee Macomber. Originally released in 2014, this reformat and re-release is 176 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is an unevenly written and oddly put together book. The style never manages to settle on slapstick comedy, paranormal cozy, romance, PI murder mystery, or light surreal horror. I found the dialogue choppy and stilted, the pacing felt off to me and I found myself constantly yanked out of my suspension of disbelief by oddly written passages, purple prose, and wrenching similes (a smile sat on his fat lips like a hastily perched bird). I did finish the book (it's short), but it was a slog in some places. The ending alone is so bizarrely placed that I literally checked to see if my review copy was missing content (it wasn't). 

There are many wonderful long running series which got off to a rocky start. This could possibly be one of them. There are glimmers of an interesting and engaging story. Mostly, it's a short novel in desperate need of a ruthless editor or three and some serious plot tightening. 

The author/publisher have included a 2 chapter preview of the 2nd book in the series Dead, Sometimes which did not, alas, fill me with desire to chase down and read any further.

Two and a half stars. Possibly worth a look for fans of the subgenre (very very light paranormal comic cozies). 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Strange Fortune

Strange Fortune is a standalone fantasy with a significant M/M romance sideplot written by Josh Lanyon. Originally released in 2009, this reformat and re-release is 324 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

I am not a regular reader of romance, but I -am- a devotee of alternate worlds fantasies, and I was familiar with some of the author's previous work. I was also intrigued by the alternate Earth setting (based on India during the British Raj). It's a fantasy, so add some minor gods, old ones, a male witch, and a handsome cavalry officer, some artifacts of power, brooding political subterfuge, and stir well.

The author is adept at her craft; I never felt lost or that the pacing was too uneven. The story is told in alternating narrative around the two main characters. They're very different from one another; sensitive magician and brawny soldier of fortune. It is well written and engaging. I would definitely recommend it to fans of M/M fantasy romance and historical romance. 

There are several love scenes but none are overtly explicit (I would catergorize them as R-rated). The dialogue is surprisingly well written.  There are some elements of narcotic use, murder, claustrophobia triggers, mild (systemic) racism, and murder. 

Four stars. Well written and definitely worth a look, especially for fans of the genre. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.